Ex-Kaduna Governor El-Rufai to Face DSS Court Over Alleged Cybercrime

Abuja, Nigeria – Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai is set to be arraigned by the Department of State Services (DSS) on Wednesday, February 25, over allegations of cybercrime and breach of national security. The arraignment will take place before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Charges Stem from Alleged Phone Interception of NSA

The DSS has filed a three-count charge against El-Rufai for allegedly intercepting telephone communications of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.

• Count One: El-Rufai is accused of admitting during a February 13 appearance on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme that he and associates unlawfully intercepted the NSA’s phone calls, an act punishable under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
• Count Two: He allegedly failed to report individuals known to him who had unlawfully intercepted the NSA’s communications, contrary to Section 27(b) of the same act.
• Count Three: The ex-governor, along with others still at large, allegedly used technical equipment to compromise public safety and national security, creating reasonable apprehension of insecurity among Nigerians. This is said to contravene both the Cybercrimes Amendment Act and the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.

Recent Custody and Security Claims

El-Rufai was briefly detained by the DSS on February 18 after spending two nights with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He previously claimed that someone had wiretapped the NSA’s phone, allowing him to hear instructions ordering his arrest.

The former governor denies wrongdoing and has faced prior scrutiny from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over alleged corruption during his tenure as Kaduna governor.

The upcoming arraignment marks the latest development in El-Rufai’s ongoing legal battles and has attracted national attention.